Dennis Ketchmark has lived in the neighborhood for nearly 30 years. He brought his wife and grandson to the watch the iconic sign come down.

“When I worked in the ‘hole,’ this was the place to come for breakfast,” Ketchmark said referring to his time in the working at the Chevy in the Hole site that was demolished in 2004. “It’s going to be missed.”

Workers with Signs by Crannie used a torch to cut away the metal frame that secured “Big Girl” to the top of the sign. A crane and boom truck helped lower her to the ground.

After the 12-to 15-foot tall woman was taken off of the sign, onlookers posed for pictures with her.

Building owner Yanni Mavrikos said he took down the “Big Girl” to protect her from vandals.

“She’s my baby,” he said. “I’ve got feelings, believe me.”

He didn’t say what his plans are for the sign, but hopes taking it down will help sell the vacant building.

They tried fitting her inside the old restaurant, but “Big Girl” wouldn’t fit. Instead, she will be stored at a lot.

The “Big Girl” waitress and sign first went up in 1978 and cost $7,000, according to Flint Journal files.

The sign is estimated to weigh several hundred pounds.

There are a lot of memories with the sign for Dan Crannie because he grew up a few blocks from the restaurant. He would walk by the giant waitress every day on his way to junior high at Zimmerman.

“It’s pretty nostalgic to anybody who grew up on the west side of Flint,” Crannie told The Flint Journal on Wednesday, July 23. “I think there wasn’t a single boy who didn’t walk by there and try to look up the skirt.”